Effects of various culture environments on expression of major outer membrane proteins from Porphyromonas gingivalis

We examined the effects of various culture environments on major outer membrane proteins from Porphyromonas gingivalis ATCC 33277. Major outer membrane protein patterns on gel electrophoresis showed little difference over the culturable range of osmolarity and pH. With elevated temperature or prolonged culture, the intensities of the gingipain bands decreased; however, bands of RagA, RagB and the putative porins were relatively stable. Similar results were observed with several different culture media. Although the precise functions of RagA, RagB and the putative porins are unknown, these factors may be strongly related to the initiation and progression of adult periodontitis.